Saving families in Sullivan County

It seems that there is never a day that goes by without a “Dear John” comment being crafted by the legislature chair and county manager for Sullivan County. Yes, the economy is in the tank and, in Sullivan County, we all feel it. But there are better ways to deal with it than outright job cuts.

The following discussion is based upon information from various newspaper articles. I will assume that the numbers quoted reflect all contractual obligations with benefits for the coming year.

The county first reduced the budget revenue shortfall with a hiring freeze and by eliminating unfilled positions, allowing for a savings of $1.7 million. The revenue shortfall is now $2.7 to $3.1 million, $1 to 1.4 million more than the savings from measures already taken. This includes, I assume, the total costs per employee of base salary, employer’s responsibility for Social Security, Medicare, health insurance and retirement.

The county is proposing to eliminate 100 jobs, about 10 percent of its 1,100-person workforce. So I ask, “Is there a more humane and saner way to protect 100 families from job loss trauma?” Job loss results in no health coverage, possible home foreclosure, bankruptcy and the possible humiliation of applying for food stamps and/or welfare, saving the county little. Spread out over 1,100 employees, this $1 to $1.4 million revenue shortfall equals an average of about $17 to $24 per week per employee paycheck, including fringe benefits, before taxes.

To save 100 families from job loss trauma requires leadership, and it has to start from the top. Here are some suggestions.

The county manager and department heads should forego raises. All employees who earn six-figure incomes should take a pay cut. County legislators should take a $1,000 cut in their base pay and a 10 percent reduction in stipends. The legislative chair should take an additional $1,000 reduction.

By leading in self-sacrifice, the county legislature and management would be in a strong position to go to the other county employees and propose the following: Middle-management personnel should forego raises. All employees should forego any contractual scheduled raises for the next year.

Where else can the county reduce the taxpayer’s obligation? The county is obligated to Sullivan County Community College’s present budget year for approximately $4 million. This decision was entered into before the latest dire economic forecast. While obligated, the legislators should meet with the college trustees to review the agreement in light of the following factors. Student enrollment is higher than projected, therefore increasing anticipated income. The difference should reduce the county’s obligation. From the college audit and tax documents, it appears that the college has loaned the dormitory authority $2.5 million. Some of this money should be transferred back to the college, reducing the county’s obligation. The college should institute leadership steps similar to those suggested above for county personnel. This would not have any impact on the education provided to the students.

If these suggestions are implemented, not one county employee will have to experience job loss trauma. What better way to serve the constituents of the county?

(Kenneth Walter is a resident of Grahamsville, NY.)